Great American Basecamps

Privacy has never been in such high demand and these secluded getaways, ranging from full buyouts of boutique hotels to off-the-grid ranches and island escapes, have been handpicked to provide the ideal private basecamp from which to explore their unique surroundings. From naturalists and astronomers to private chefs and tutors, All Roads North can tailor an experience to remember that is perfectly matched to your group’s dynamics.

Smith Fork Ranch

Smith Fork Ranch is a historic, private Rocky Mountain ranch. Nestled in a serene river valley where the North and South Smith Forks of the Gunnison meet, protected by majestic alpine peaks, the ranch offers a full menu of experiences for your stay. Enjoy miles of private fly fishing, explore endless hiking trails, meander through aspen groves on horseback, and indulge in the area’s excellent wineries and culinary delights from local orchards, farms, and livestock ranches. Despite the seclusion of the National Forest, Smith Fork is less than a half-hour from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, The Grand Mesa, and other natural treasures. Return to your historic log home and relax riverside, or around the fireplace, while enjoying craft cocktails and gourmet fare.

Goes Well With: Luxury Family Adventure in Colorado

 

Jackson Hole Luxury Estate

Jackson, Wyoming

Whether winter or summer, Jackson Hole never fails to deliver. With the imposing Tetons as a backdrop to the Snake River and two of the country’s most magical national parks on its doorstep, it’s the logical choice for an extended basecamp. We have access to the leading luxury private homes in the area, from ridgetop modernist marvels to sprawling riverside estates. Whether adventure-filled days on the trails, a leisurely float down the river or learning to calf rope, it’s the incredible variety of experiences that draws so many back to Jackson Hole year after year.

Goes Well With: Grand Teton & Yellowstone Road Trip

 

The Inn at Newport Ranch

Mendocino, California

Located on a rugged headland on California’s northern coastline amongst 2,000 acres of diverse terrain, The Inn at Newport Ranch is a place to switch off and get back to nature. Both refined and rustic, the bones of a century-old farmhouse, hewn from local old growth redwoods, form the core of the property. Two other stand-alone homes are great for families or groups of friends. For ultimate privacy a full ranch buyout, with access to the owner’s stunning Sea Drum House, is the way to go. Time here is all about immersing yourself in the surrounding landscape with hiking, biking, horseback riding and UTV adventures all close to hand.

Goes Well With: Farm (and Sea) to Table in Sonoma and Mendocino

 

Maison Madeleine

Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

Maison Madeleine, built in the 1840s, is a beautifully restored creole country cottage nestled among lush gardens on the shores of Lake Martin, a hidden gem that boasts one of the largest wading bird rookeries in North America. The nearby small town of Breaux Bridge is one of the cultural centers of Acadiana and the heartland of the inviting Cajun way of life. With only two bedrooms, it is the perfect place for two couples or a family to explore the riches of Cajun country. The welcoming owners, Walt and Madeleine Cenac, open their little black book of contacts to guests, giving you access to the local chefs, musicians and artists that make Acadiana such a beguiling corner of the United States.

Goes Well With: The Best of New Orleans and Cajun Country

 

Little St Simons Island

Georgia’s Golden Isles

This 10,000 acre private island, accessible only by boat, is a nature lover’s paradise. With only 32 guests at any one time and free rein of the island, it is a supremely peaceful and private getaway. The trails and paths that wind through the island are covered by a dense canopy of moss-draped live oak. On the low ground, marine forests give way to tidal creeks, saltmarsh and miles of deserted beaches. The activity program is both exceptional and relaxed. Morning and afternoon, the island’s guides will run a variety of adventures including birding, kayaking and fishing. Evening excursions may include a late night owl prowl or a trip to the beach to watch the unforgettable sight of a loggerhead turtle laying her eggs.

Goes Well With: Charleston, Savannah and The Golden Isles

 

Chalk Draw Ranch

Marathon, Texas

Chalk Draw Ranch is a remote 20,000 acre property adjacent to Big Bend National Park. The thoughtfully designed and lavishly appointed Mexican hacienda-style guest house is a two-bedroom, two-bath, complete with a resort-worthy pool and star-gazing rooftop. Chalk Draw contains some of the most significant existing petroglyphs and pictographs from prehistoric native peoples in the region. Guests will have this private ranch to themselves and the ranch team, including a private chef, will be on hand to look after you.

Goes Well With: The Wilds of West Texas: A Private Ranch Road Trip

 

Rancho Alegre

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Designed by renowned architect William F. Tull and lovingly restored by businessman turned conservationist Jochen Zeitz, Rancho Alegre is the perfect private estate for a large gathering. Rolling across 175 acres of quintessentially Southwestern ranchland, Rancho Alegre is a magnificent historic property designed and decorated with rare attention to detail and a worldly touch. The centerpiece of the property is an 11,000-square foot main residence with a patio, pavilion and infinity-edge pool. A plaza is graced with a rooftop deck, chapel, guest rooms, recording studio, large courtyard with cantina and rose garden, and a traditional carriage house and old Western ‘general store’ adjacent to the main home. 

Goes Well With: Back to the Future in New Mexico

 

Dry Island

Adirondacks, New York

In the same vein as the Adirondack Great Camps of yesteryear, Dry Island offers a rustic yet refined escape from the city among the woods and lake of Upstate New York. The 12 acre Dry Island is a private island estate on Upper Saranac Lake that comfortably sleeps ten guests. You’ll have the island to yourselves for your stay, with the addition of a small staff of a boatman, chef and housekeeper. 

 

SingleThread

Healdsburg, California

What better way to immerse yourself in the gastronomic delights of California’s wine country than by staying at arguably its most acclaimed restaurant. SingleThread is site to both the eponymous three Michelin-starred restaurant and also a luxury inn. Walking distance from Healdsburg’s bustling plaza, the inn has only five elegant guest rooms and can be taken on a private basis. Staying true to its culinary roots, a stay in the inn includes a multi-course breakfast for two created by SingleThread’s master chefs.

Goes Well With: Couple’s California: A Refined Luxury Road Trip

 

Sheldon Chalet

Denali, Alaska

Social distance in style! Only reachable by helicopter, Sheldon Chalet is perched along the flanks of Denali at 8,000 feet. Built by the family of legendary Alaska pilot Don Sheldon, the chalet was built as a companion to the original Sheldon Mountain House on a skinny slice of rock, known as a ‘nunatak,’ above the expansive Ruth Glacier. The only property located literally ‘on’ Denali, the Sheldon Chalet offers unparalleled luxury coupled with opportunities to explore the glaciers and mountain vistas surrounding the Sheldon Amphitheater. 

Goes Well With: Adventures on the Kenai Peninsula

 

Willow House

Terlingua, TX

At first glance, one might mistake Willow House for a work of Donald Judd’s modern art. Simple and sophisticated, this desert retreat nods to Georgia O’Keeffe’s iconic southwestern style while also embodying a James Turrell-esque use of light. The minimal architecture turns the focus back to its beautiful surroundings: the Chihuahuan desert and Chisos Mountain Range. Beyond its artistic design, Willow House boasts a prime location. It’s located just outside Terlingua Ghost Town and six miles from Big Bend National Park. Designed to be a quiet place to reflect and relax, there are twelve casitas on 250+ acres of land. For those looking to soak in the nature and unique style of West Texas, this is a great home base.

Goes Well With: The Wilds of West Texas: A Private Ranch Road Trip